Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Dwell on it
Vera chose to ignore that.
If it weren’t for the desire to outshine that vixen Alana, she wouldn’t have bothered with this greasy, pot-bellied old man, even if he knows how to fuck.
She just had to make sure everything goes as she wanted so she reminded him.
“I’ll also see you tonight as you want but don’t forget, If, during this process, I manage to persuade the HG representative and secure the deal, the company’s ten thousand commission goes to me, not Alana.”
Dane, utterly still reeling in his orgasm, nodded without hesitation. "Of course. It belongs to whoever secures it."
After all, he liked sleeping with Vera so it wouldn’t be bad to sleep with both Alana and Vera at the same time.
Though Vera was nowhere near as beautiful as Alana, well, when it comes to women, the more the merrier, of course!
*********
Vera emerged from Manager Dane office, strutting over to Alana with an air of superiority.
She declared triumphantly, "Alana, my apologies, but Manager Dane just mentioned that I’ll be joining you tomorrow to entertain the major client."
“What’s more, he said whoever secures this client gets the commission, while whoever fails to land it gets nothing."
Alana immediately frowned.
Seeing Alana’s displeased expression, Vera continued with a smile, "Alana, I’m determined to win this major client. You’re just an intern, you can’t possibly beat me."
Alana glanced up at Vera. "We haven’t even met the client yet. It’s far from decided who’ll secure them."
“Besides, I don’t believe I’ll lose."
Vera dismissed her with a scoff. "Pah! Arrogant. You’ve barely been in the company two months, what makes you think you can compete with me?"
Alana remained composed. "We’ll see about that."
Vera lifted her chin haughtily. "Fine. We’ll see! Anyway, I’m certain I’ll win!"
Alana couldn’t be bothered to respond.
In any case, it was a matter of individual merit. Who ultimately succeeded didn’t matter; she only needed to give it her best shot.
Vera sauntered off like a proud swan.
Carla couldn’t help but remark, "Why is she becoming more and more dismissive of others? We’re all in the same department, does she really have to be so ruthless towards you? And she even spread rumours about you. She doesn’t feel the slightest bit guilty. What a peculiar creature."
Alana replied, "Have you ever seen a perpetrator feel remorse towards their victim?"
When perpetrators target victims, it’s deliberate. How could they possibly feel remorse?
If one attempt to harm fails, there’s always a second.
Carla finally snapped to attention. "Bloody hell, Alana! You’re in a right pickle then. Not only is that old codger Manager Dane eyeing you up, but Vera’s got it in for you too. You’d better watch your back when you’re handling that big client together!"
Alana paused briefly before nodding. "Right, I will."
**************
Time flew by, and before she knew it, it was quitting time again.
Alana stuffed tomorrow’s materials into her handbag, intending to cram at home.
For that ten thousand commission, she had to commit every crucial detail to memory, ensuring tomorrow went without a hitch.
******
Back home.
Alana seemed to recall something and glanced towards the balcony.
Hanging there, swaying in the breeze, was a man’s black suit jacket.
She had promised to wash it and return it clean, but she couldn’t recall if it had dried yet.
Even if it was, she wouldn’t have time to return it tonight.
He hadn’t insisted on getting it back today anyway, so what the heck, returning it in a few days wouldn’t hurt.
With that thought, Alana withdrew her gaze and headed into the kitchen to cook herself some noodles.
**********
Meanwhile.
Stephan had just returned home from work when his mother called. The phone rang incessantly, like a death knell.
“You good-for-nothing lad, are you trying to drive me to my grave?"
“Why didn’t you attend the blind date I arranged for you?"
Stephan pinched the bridge of his nose, utterly weary of the back-and-forth.
“Work’s hectic. No time."
“No matter how busy work gets, you ought to find a woman, settle down, and start a family, shouldn’t you?"
“Look at yourself, nearly thirty years old, an old man with not a single woman in sight. At this rate, when will I ever get to hold my great-grandchildren?"
Stephan sighed. “Mum, have you been bored stiff at the hospital lately? Not enough patients keeping you busy? Shall I arrange a few more for you?"
Mrs Cynthia laughed in exasperation. "Get lost!"
“Stop meddling in my affairs and focus on your own marriage instead. If you don’t bring a wife home soon, just wait till I get my hands on you!"
“Mum, there’s no rush."
“How can I not be worried? Men past thirty start to decline physically. If you don’t marry soon, you won’t even be able to have children later!" "..."
“Fine, I won’t accept your arranged meetings. Find her yourself. If you don’t bring a woman home within a month, I’ll tie you to one myself!"
Stephan fell silent for a moment. His mother wanted him to bring a woman home.
He didn’t know why, but Alana’s face suddenly flashed through his mind.
Could it be that deep down, he wanted to bring that woman home to appease his parents?
But that woman already had a boyfriend.
The thought stirred an inexplicable irritation within Stephan.
Come to think of it, didn’t she say she’d wash the coat he’d given her yesterday and return it? Why hadn’t she said anything yet?
Had she washed it but it wasn’t dry yet, or had she simply forgotten?
Stephan was tempted to send her a message to ask.
But then he thought better of it, it would make him seem as though he were desperately seeking her out.
It was only a coat after all. She’ll return it when she sees fit. No need to dwell on it constantly.
Comments